Electrical outlet



June l0, 1941. K. A. BRAINARD ELECTRICAL OUTLET Filed Nov. 2'7, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 1 c l INVENTOR Kenn e .lranard ATTO June l0, 1941. K, A,BRMNARD 2,244,937

' ELECTRICAL OUTLET Filed NOV. 27, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 10, 1941. K A. BRAINARD ELECTRICAL OUTLET Filed Nov. 27, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 3 mvENToR. yf@ /L rczinard,

A TTORNEY.

Patented June l0, 19,41

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2.244.031 mcrlncar. omu'r nennen. a. munis.am cana am November 21, ma, saisi No. new

'x claims. (ci. 11H30) This invention relates to improvements inelectrlcal outlets of that type having one or more pairs o! openings forengaging the respective pairs ofelectric terminals of one or more plugs.More particularly this invention relates to that type oi' outletemploying a receptacle built in the wallofabuildingstructureandinwhichthe terminal unit is removably held and towhich the feed wires of an electric supply circuit leading into theoutlet box are adapted to be connected.

One of the principal objects oi the invention is to provide an outlethaving a socket fitting held in a wall receptacle and a cooperatingplug, said elements being so constructed that the face plateandplugwhenunitedandinusepresentailush outer surface and avoid beingdisturbed or dis connected by objects striking the plug. a

A further object is to provide an outlet so constructed that itcooperates with the sides of the plug in such manner as to hold thecooperating plug in fully connected and protected position, therebyassisting in maintaining the plug tightly connected at all times when inuse.

A further object is to provide an improved plug for use in thereceptacle which is adapted to hold the wires of a circuit to beconnected securely and in emcient electrical contact with terminalstherein without loose or broken electrical connection.

A still further object is to provide improved means for fastening andconnecting the ends of a circuit to the terminals of my improved pluginsuchmannerastoavoid the useof tools.

The invention also possesses other objects and advantages some of whichwill be pointed out in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this speciiication Fig. 1is a iront elevation of my improved electrical outlet showing one of myimproved cooperating terminal plugs inserted therein; Fig. 2 is asection taken on line 2-2 of Pig. 1 4and on line 2-2 of rig. 3, when twoof my improved terminal plugs are inserted and showing the simultaneousapplication oi an ordinary piug: Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken online2-3ofFig,2;Fig.4isahorizontalsectiontakenonline4-4ofFig.2whenmyimproved plug is removed; Fig. 5 is a tcpperspective view of the spring catch for removably holding my improvedterminal plug in the receptacle; Fig. 6 is a aide perspective view ofone of my improved terminal plugs; Fig. 'I is a plan looking at theinner faceof the terminal plug shown in Pig. 6;FigJisascctiontakenonthelinet-lofl'igJ; Fig.9isasectiontakenonlinel-Ioflllg.l;

Fig. 10 is a side perspective view of an alternative construction of myimproved terminal plug; Fig. ll is a vertical section takenapproximately on line lI-II of Fig. l0; Fig. l2 is aperspective view ofthe electrical conductingcord clamping element employed as a receptacleclosing element in the type of terminal plug shown in Figs. i0 and ll;lilg i3 is a side elevation partly broken away and in sectionillustrating my improved plug sup. porting a lamp ilxture; Pig. 14 is aside elevation partly in section showing a clock mounted upm my improvedplug to be supported thereby, and Fig. 15 is a side elevation partlybroken away and in section showing a folding hook built into my improvedplug for supporting an object when the hook is turned into unfoldedposition as shown.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the wall I5 of a building-stnictureis partially illustrated, in which the customary outlet box It is builttherein in the usual manner. Secured in this outlet box by screws l1 orother suitable means is my improved electrical receptacle element A,which is formed with a face plate il. The heads of said screws aresuitably countersunk into the face plate and the shanks of the screwsare threaded through the usual flanges I2 on the outlet box so as tosecure the face plate substantially flush with the outer surface of thewall Il.

My improved electrical receptacle has integral with its face plate il, abody which extends into the outlet box II and is formed with a pair ofvertical parallel end walls 2li and 2| and a pair of transverse upperand lower inwardly converging walls 22 and 22, which cooperate informing an open inner rectangular body end 24. Arranged in thisstructure are upper and lower transverse walls 25 and 26 which divergeinwardly in a vertical plane and cooperate with walls 22 and 23 inproducing wedge or triangular shaped wall sockets B in which my improvedterminal plugs C are adapted to seat. The outer ends of the walls 25 and26 are connected by the vertical web 2l which is also integral with saidside walls 2l and 2| and through which the terminal blades 2l oi anordinary terminal plug D may be inserted to make connection with thecircuit terminals held within the receptacle element as will behereinafter described. 'I'hus a terminal chamber E is produced withinthe receptacle element for the supply of electrical current to theplugs.

My improved terminal plug C is formed with a wedge shaped or triangularbody which is adapted to seat in either of the wedge shaped sockets.This plug has a pair of converging sides 29 and 30 and vertical parallelends 23' and 35.', .which correspond with and are adapted to coincidewith the walls of the socket when the plug is inserted in the latter.The plug also isformed with a back or base wall 3| which is adapted tolie substantially ush with the outer surface of the face plate I8 whenthe plug is inserted and in use as will be hereinafter described. Theplug also carries a pair of electrical contact blades 32 and 33 whichwhen the plug is inserted in a socket project through terminal receivingopenings 34 in either of the walls 25 and 26 and into contact with apair of corresponding circuitsupply spring terminals 35 and 36. Thesespring terminals are mounted upon a bridge 31 which is integral with andspansthe space between the side walls 25 and 2| in the terminal chamberE. Each of the terminals 35 and 36 consists of a pair of parallelsemi-circular spring metallic discs 38 and 39 spaced apart and betweenwhich one of the contact terminal blades of the plug is adapted to beinserted and make contact. A binding post 40 is provided on each pair ofcontact discs and extends through the companion side wall of theterminal receptacle. By means of a nut 4| or other suitable means thebinding post is adapted to be connected with one of the conductors of asupply electrical circuit with which the outlet box is adapted to beassociated. 'I'he pairs of plug terminal receiving openings 34 in walls25 and 26 and terminal receiving openings 42 in the web 21 and the pairsof spring contacts of the corresponding circuit terminal-s 35 and 36 arearranged in juxtaposition so that any one of the plugs inserted in anypair of said terminal receiving openings will connect with the singlepair of supply terminals 35 and 36 to tap the circuit with which saidsupply terminals are connected through binding posts 40. The directionin which the plug is inserted in its socket is at an obtuse angle to theplane of, the surface plate I3. In other words the axes of the socketsand their plugs, when the latter are inserted are normal to the plane ofthe face plate, which causes the plugs to remain inserted withoutworking loose or becoming disconnected. A suitable cover 43 is securedover the inner open end 24 of the terminal receptacle E by the screws 44or other suitable means.

My improved wedge shaped terminal plug is provided with a supporting lip45 in extension of the face 3| of the plug, said lip fitting and beingheld in a recess 46 in th'e face plate so that the entire back of theplug including the lip lies flush with the surface of the face plate.Each of the fastening screws |1 is provided with a cupped washer 41 inwhich the head of the screw seats tightly and this washer has a springcatch 43 (see Fig. 5) which is arranged to automatically spring into andout of engagement with an edge of the supporting lip in a notch 49 andreleasably hold the plug fully inserted in its cooperating plug socketA.

'I'he electrical conducting cord such as 50, which has its conductorsconnected to the plug is received through the passage in the back of theplug and is secured tightly to the plug by a clamping cover plate 52 inone of its converging walls. 'I'his plate has a toothed boss 53 (seeFig. 9) on its inner surface, the teeth of which bite into and securethe conducting cord 55 to the plug. 'I'he plate is clamped by the use ofscrews 54. In making electrical connection with the conductor 53, theend of the cord beyond the portion engaged by the boss is stripped ofits covering and the two conductors therein thus exposed are spreadapart. Each 'of the inner ends of the contact blades 32 and 33 of theplug is formed with a short angular arm 55 which is firmly secured inthe body of the plug and the terminus of this arm is provided with sharpteeth 56 which face inwardly toward the inner Vface of the clampingplate 52. These teeth are arranged so that when the insulated conductorsof the conducting cord are trained over the teeth 56 'and the clampingplate 52 is tightly secured by screws 54, the teeth bite through theinsulation of the s cord conductors and make effective electricalcontact. Thus when both conductors of the cord are connected to the pairof contact blades of a plug, electrical connection is made'by properlyadjusting the cord conductors and by applying the clamping plate asdescribed. .Also the clamping plate serves to fasten the body of theconductor cord to the plug ahead of the conductors so as to relievepulling strain from the electrical contacts in the plug and allow theplug to be pulled out of its socket by the cord without disconnectingfrom the plug.

The wedge shape of the plug permits the contact blades to be inserted atsuch an angle into the socket or receptacle so that by a downward pullupon the conductor cord leading into the socket the plug will notreadily pull out of connection. The lip 45 with the fastener 43 locksthe plug in operative position although the releas'ability of the lockpermits the plug to be withdrawn under a substantial pull outwardly uponthe conducting cord. How-ever under normal conditions the plug willremain fully inserted in its socket. It is obvious the device can bevariously modified and constructed with a single socket within thespirit of the invention instead of the multiple type shown anddescribed. Also that it can be used in horizontal instead ot verticalposition as shown. Primarily the wedge shape of the plug and its socketenables -the plug to be inserted with its back flush with the surface ofthe face plate which prevents objects from catching and releasing theplug out of operative connection which is a distinct advantage.

In Figs. l0 to l2 inclusive, I have shown a modification of my improvedplug for use in my improved plug receptacle above described. 'Iheoutward shape of the plug remains the same. The conductor cord fasteningand connecting means is varied. The wedge shape body of the plug isformed with a rectangular chamber 60 in its side 30 opposite the sidefrom which the terminal blades project, which is closed by a cordclamping plate 6|. The electrical conducting cord 62 enters this chamberthrough a passage 63 which opens outwardly through the back face 3| ofthe plug and is positioned so that the body of the conducting cord isengaged and held firmly by the serrated boss 64 on the inner surface ofthe forward end of the clamping plate 5|. The heel of the clamping plateopposite the end on which the serrated boss is formed has a pair oflaterally projecting spring fasteners 65 secured thereto which areadapted to be inserted into a close fitting channel 66 in the body ofthe plug. The fasteners as shown in Fig. l2 are arranged normally at anobtuse angle to the plane of the inner wall of the clamping plate 6| sothat when the plate is inserted and tightly pressed into a positionclosing the chamber 60, the springs tend to force the free end of theplate, with its serrated boss 64, tightly engaging and holding theconducting cord. The electrical contact blades 61 extend right angularlyfrom the inner wall 25 curved duct Il is provided in the body of theplus.

adjoining each shank of the contact blades t1.'I'hispassagehasitsoppositeendsconnectedupwardly into the chamber llthrough the iioor of the chamber and its portion between its ends isintercepted by the threaded shank of one of the contact blades when theblade isscrewed through its companion cover fastener I and fully intothe body of the plug. One of these ducts ig arranged on each side of theconductor cord in the chamber ll. The conductor cord l! is led into thechamber Il through e I3 and its body is held securely by the boss M onplate Il. 'Ihe end of the cord beyond the clamping boss 6I is strippedand the insulated wires 'Il thus exposed are passed downwardly andbackwardly through the ducts 6l. The threaded shanks are adapted to cutthrough the insulation and contact the .metallic conductors in said endsthus connecting the conductors with the plug terminal blades Il. Theinner ends oi the shanks CI are pointed at 'li so as to readily guidethrough and engage the fasteners il and cut through the insulationon andcontact the conductors 'Il when the shanks are screwed into the body ofthe plug. This type of construction provides an effective means forfastening the conductor cord and making contact with its conductorswithout the use of hand tools, the blades being easily screwed into theplug by hand. Its simplicity commends its use on any type of plugirrespective of the outward `coniiguration of the plug. When it isdesired to open the chamber Il and ln the event the clamping platesticks. the terminal blades can be unscrewed and removed. The shank ofone of the blades can then be screwed into a threaded opening I2 in theclamping plate and the latter-then lifted out of the chamber by usingthe blade as a handle, (see Fig. 12). It will be noted that thisimproved construction of plug provides a self contained fastening meansby which the body of the cord is firmly secured to the P1118. theconductors in the cord are emciently contacted to make electricalconnection with the contact blades or terminals of the plug, the coverof the receptacle containing said connections is locked closed. and thecover of the'container can bereadily removed, all without the use oftools.

In Fig. i3 I have shown a lamp fixture I3 mounted upOn the base wall ofmy improved terminal plug C, said iixture being supported flush with theface plate and its weight tending to hold the plug tightly inserted inits socket. In a similar manner the clock 1I is shown mounted upon theplug in Fig. 4. These illustrations are typical of many other objectsthat can be mounted upon the plug with equal eil'ectiveness. In Fig. l Ihave shown my improved terminal plug constructed with a foldingsupporting hook Il recessed when folded into the base wall of the bodyof the plug. In outstanding position any object such as an electricclock, for instance, can be suspended from the plug on the hook, theweight of the object tending to hold the plug tightly inserted in itssocket.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described the principlesof operation of my invention mother with the construction thereofwhichlnowconsidertorepresentthebestembodimentthereoi'.butldesiretohaveitunderstood that theconstruction shown is only illustrative and that the invention can becarried out by other means and applied to uses other than those aboveset forth within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. An electrical outlet. comprising, an outletboxadaptedtobeseatedlnthewallofabuilding structure, a face plate overthe open end of the outlet box having a wedge shaped socket enteringsaid outlet box. electrical plug connecting elements within saidbox andassociated with said socket by which current is adapted to be fed to thesocket, means for fastening the face plate to the outlet box, and meanscarried by the face plate' for releasably securing -a plug inserted insaid socket.

2. An electrical ntting, comprising, an outlet box adapted to be seatedin the wall of a building structure, a face plate over the open end ofthe outlet box having a wedge shaped socket entering said outlet box.and an electrical plug connecting assemblage within said outlet box,below said socket, said face plate being suitably passaged through oneof its converging sides to .receive the electrical connecting elementsof a assemblage.

wedge shaped plug inserted in said socket into electrical connectionwith said plug connecting and said socket providing means by which saidplug is insertable therein at an ob lique angle to the plane of thesurface of the face plate.

3. An electrical iitting, comprising, an outlet box adapted to be seatedin the wall of a building structure, a face plate securedA over the openend of the outlet boxand provided with a wedge shaped socket therein,said face plate having plug terminal receiving openings in one of theconverging sides of said socket, and electrical connecting elementsassociated with said socket below said terminal openings for electricalconnection with said plug, said socket providing means by which aterminal plug is insertable therein at an oblique angle to the plane ofthe surface of the face plate.

4. An electrical tting, comprising, an outlet box adapted to be seatedin the wall of a building structure, a face plate over the open end ofthe outlet box having a plurality oi' wedge shaped sockets entering saidoutlet box, each socket having a pair oi' inwardly converging sides, oneof said sides of each pair being disposed opposite one of said sides ofa companion socket, and said opposite sides being ed to receive plugterminals therethrough, and an electrical connecting assemblageassociated with said sockets below the passages therethrough forelectrical connection with said plug terminals, said sockets providingmeans by which the plugs are insertable therein at oblique angle to thesurface of the face plate.

5. An electrical fitting, comprising, an outlet boxadapted to be seatedin the wall of a building structure, a face plate secured over the openend of the outlet box and provided with a wedge shaped socket thereinwith a recess to receive a lip on a wedge shaped plug while the back ofthe plug including the lip lies substantially ush.

serted in said socket, and an electrical corr-lectv ing assemblageassociated with said socket with which .the terminals of said plug areadapted to connect when the plug is inserted in said socket, said socketproviding means by which the terminal plug is insertabie at an obliqueangle to the plane of the surface of the face plate.

6. An electrical outlet. comprising, an outlet box adapted to be seatedin the wall of a building structure, a face plate over the open end ofthe outletl box having a wedge shaped socket entering said outlet boxand a recess for receiving the lip of a terminal plug when the latter isinserted in said socket with the entire back of said plug including itslip lying substantially ush with the surface of the face plate, meansassociated with said plate for releasablyengaging the lip of the plugand holding the plug inserted in said socket. an electrical plugconnecting assemblage within said outlet box and associated with saidsocket by which current is adapted to be supplied to the terminal plugwhen the latter is inserted in said socket. said socket providing meansby which the terminal plug is insertable therein at an oblique angle tothe plane of the surface of theiace plate.

7. An electrical fitting, comprising. an outlet box adapted to be seatedin the wall of a building structure, a face plate over the open end ,ofthe outlet box having a plurality of sockets entering said outlet box,each of said sockets having a pair of inwardly converging sides forminga wedge-shape, one of said sides of each pair 20 terminals insertedtherethrough.

KENNETH A. BRAINARD.

